Honoring our veterans

The cynic might argue that the fact that we even have a Veterans Day puts the lie to the idea that history is progressive. Or that we actually learn history's hard lessons.

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recordnet.com

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Posted Nov. 11, 2012 at 12:01 AM

Posted Nov. 11, 2012 at 12:01 AM

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The cynic might argue that the fact that we even have a Veterans Day puts the lie to the idea that history is progressive. Or that we actually learn history's hard lessons.

Clearly man's progress has been in fits and starts. Clearly if we were learning from our mistakes, there would be fewer bumps as we travel toward the goal of progress. Clearly there would be fewer wars.

That doesn't mean we don't honor those who put on the uniform for this country and did the job they were asked even if, in retrospect, history judges that job a fool's errand.

This country hasn't always treated our veterans well. We blamed the warriors for the war, most notably during the Vietnam War and in its immediate aftermath. Or we literally attacked them, as when Army Chief of Staff Gen. Douglas MacArthur commanded infantry, cavalry and six tanks to drive thousands of veterans out of Washington in 1932 who went there demanding redemption of their World War I service certificates.

Those days, we hope, are past. Today military service is looked on as an honorable calling. Today we may hate the war but we love, respect and support the warriors.

Millions of Americans, from before the first shots at Concord to today's patrols in Kandahar Province, have stepped up and did what their nation said had to be done. Today, Veterans Day, we honor their service.

There are about 22 million living U.S. military veterans, including about 1.9 million in California and more than 37,000 in San Joaquin County. They are our neighbors, our relatives and our friends. We owe them much. The least we can give them is our thanks.